When Rogue One: A Star Wars Story debuted in 2016, it marked a bold departure from the traditional Star Wars formula. Directed by Gareth Edwards, this standalone prequel offered fans a grittier, more grounded look at the rebellion’s early days while answering one of the franchise’s longest-standing questions: how were the Death Star plans stolen?

The Plot: A Mission of Hope

Set just before the events of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Rogue One tells the story of Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), the daughter of Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen), the unwilling architect of the Death Star. Jyn is recruited by the Rebel Alliance to help uncover the Empire’s superweapon plans.

Accompanied by a ragtag group of rebels, including the dashing Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), blind warrior-monk Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen), pragmatic mercenary Baze Malbus (Jiang Wen), reprogrammed Imperial droid K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk), and defected Imperial pilot Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed), Jyn embarks on a desperate mission to retrieve the plans and ignite a spark of hope against the tyranny of the Empire.

The narrative crescendos into a thrilling finale on the tropical planet of Scarif, where the team sacrifices everything to deliver the plans to the rebellion—a heroic act that directly sets the stage for Luke Skywalker’s journey in A New Hope.

The Cast: A Band of Reluctant Heroes

Felicity Jones delivers a compelling performance as Jyn Erso, capturing her transformation from a disillusioned outcast to a selfless hero. Diego Luna adds layers of complexity to Cassian Andor, a rebel haunted by his morally grey past.

The ensemble cast shines through their diversity and depth, with standout performances from Donnie Yen as the Force-believing Chirrut and Alan Tudyk, who provides K-2SO with a perfect blend of humor and heart.

Mads Mikkelsen brings quiet gravitas to Galen Erso, while Ben Mendelsohn’s portrayal of Orson Krennic, the ambitious yet flawed Imperial officer, offers a refreshing take on the Star Wars villain archetype.